Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1887-08-13
THE USE OF COCA.
I ne Marvellous Effects of a
Won derful Drug.
A Consul Tells How Coca Affects Ma
tives Of South America

Consul Du Pre- transmits from San
salvador TO the Unitel States Depart
ment Of State an interesting report upon
the use Of coca in that country aud its |
effects upon the inhabitants He says:
] have seen so much recently written
of coca in newspapers and in medical
I publications that am impclel to report
what | have learned OF the virtues of
tbs product Of South American forests.
With leathcrn straps passing around
their toreheads 10 sustain burdens o. 150
OF zoe pounds on their backs, | fad
these 1.-THE, slender natives traversing
plains and mountains with greater celer-
ity than the mule bestride, which trav-
els through the livelong day six miles an
hour. Native physicians, eleves Of the
schools of Paris, concur in assuring me
that this extraordinary capacity for en-
durance of toll and hunger is to be
ascribed to the use by these viageros of
coca.
1t is administered freely to infants,
and is the chief intoxicant of men and
women. Youths through many days
are intrus;ed with the care Of valuable
tlocks Of lamas, having no other sus-
tenance than that to be found in little
leathern purses containing coca and its
compounds. Indians chew it constantly;
theirs, like the maxillary movements of
tobacco chcwers are incessant. From
80 to 20 gramas are consumed daily,
serving unlike tobacco, both as food and
stimulant. Without coca hab;tua chew
ers cannot digest food; without it they
are unable to ascend mountains, with
long, rapid strides, never Stacking their
wonderful speed throughout the livelong
day; they will not toll without it; with
out it they enjoy nothing; without it,
practically they cease to live. The, i'm
/ mediate effect Of chewing coca is perfect
insensibility Of the interior Of the mouth.
The Immediate sensation is that which
one would experience when finding that
his mouth had become a great void in
somebody ese's head. had a dentist
apply it when extracting the roots of
molar tooth, and the effect was as de-
/ scribed. Indians constantly using coca
! finally lose the senses of taste and smell.
They can eat, without repugnance,
most disgusting food and drink
most nauscating draugnts; the sensi-
tiveness Of the mucus membrane has
been destroyed. When one goes further
and swallows the saliva impregnated with
the juice Of the coca leaf, delicious
sensation of warmth and perfect blessed
ness pervades ones whole being, intelec-
.tual, nervous, and physical, and he is
Tapped in the joys of an elysium.
In doses of Is to go grains, coca pro-
duces delightful intoxication. It's joys
transcend in perfect blessedness all
known human delights. A sensation
Of lightness first supervenes; the air in
haled is zephyrs from angels wings;
there are wild imaginings and fantastic
hal!ucinatlons and gorgeous visions, and
then complete insensibility 1t is ntoxi-
cation without drowsiness, without con
gestion Of the brain, involving sense
of perfect rest The law of gravitatior
is suspended and the coquero drift!
bodily among the stars. Meanwhile tn,
muscular system is stimulated to an ex
traordaary degree. An intellectual ex-
element supcrvcnes, enabling the 'tpos
sessed" of this demon to watch and toi
through sleepless days and nights. n
dreadful headache or more intolerabl
nervous prostration follows.
1T is the most potent nervine, almost
at mans disposal. It's hygienic proper
ties arr disclosed from IS physiological
properties" says Spanish NJ. D., VIII
adds that in hot infusion it is the on
useful and heal,hfu, beverage one Cal
+ use after dinner. Especially is it com
/ mended to the feeble, to those who hav
, transcended limits OF sobriety in usin
aIconol. It's virtues sHoahi oe tesseA
, tLeref,rc, in inebria;e asyluns. 1t sure
, " Gains nervous excitabillty OF man
: and, taken in small quantities., enab {
one To endure coi and raia AMI SOW
e and It enables one to DEFY great fatigue
and restores the forces lost by excesse
, It is popular usei for Indigestion, 4
e dssordercd s.omachs, for hysteria, fat'
lency. anil colo. AMI MI forms OF intea
tinal disorders. /, is used constantly /
toiiers in mines. and when one reach
tn mines after marching several da,,
through forests ani over mountain 81
tainei alone hy the use Of coca Al
! M ze, hr is permitted to eat At discr
ton throu- "a f9nr LAYS ani have perfe'
rest. Then ho l. "a perfect health Al
Aa sta~ *.r-